GSE FOCUS
ALL ELECTRIC TURN
It has fi nally happened: the green turn. Late in 2019, a
ground handler safely turned a fl ydubai next generation
Boeing 737-800 aircraft using only zero-emission
ground support equipment at Dubai International’s
Terminal 2.
His Highness Sheikh Ahmed bin Saeed Al Maktoum,
Chairman of Emirates Group, fl ydubai and Dubai
Airports, said of the event: “Sustainability is a key
focus across operations at the Emirates Group,
fl ydubai and Dubai Airports. The UAE is a major global
aviation hub, and in line with the country’s vision to
ensure sustainable development while preserving the
environment, we are committed to taking meaningful
initiatives and continually challenge our processes
to deliver the highest possible value for all of our
stakeholders. The green turnaround, involving a
collaborative effort from airline, ground handler and
airport operator, highlights Dubai’s commitment and
ability to make a difference by using resources in a
sustainable manner.”
Handler dnata, which was responsible for the
turn, is constantly investing in equipment to improve
operational effi ciency and reduce its environmental
footprint. During the green turnaround, dnata’s
dedicated team transported bags with electric baggage
tractors to the aircraft and applied electric conveyor
belts to offl oad and load baggage and cargo. The
passengers of the airline’s Karachi and Faisalabad
fl ights were disembarked and boarded through
towable passenger stairs. After the boarding had been
completed, the ground handler’s staff pushed the
aircraft back from the gate with an electric towbarless
pushback tractor, positioning it ready for taxi and
departure. Throughout the turn, the aircraft ground
power was provided by Dubai International’s fi xed
electrical ground power facilities.
Green or hybrid options have been around for a
while now, and it is encouraging to see the dots fi nally
being joined up on the ramp.
IN BRIEF
AWARD FOR AUTONOMOUS
TRANSPORTATION
A world rst in autonomous
technology helped a
Coventry manufacturing
specialist claim a prestigious
prize at the Heathrow Clean
Vehicles Partnership Awards.
Working in partnership with
International Airlines Group
and British Airways, Aurrigo’s
autonomous luggage dolly
secured the Innovator award for
the way it has been helping to
potentially reduce emissions and
improve e ciencies in getting
passenger bags to and from the
terminal.
Judges were impressed with
the initial results of the rst two
phases of the trial that has been
running at Terminal 5 and the
way that the dolly can reduce
passenger waiting times, as well
as o er a host of environmental
improvements. Carrying up
to 40 bags in one journey,
the driverless dollies use the
latest navigating technology to
memorise the air eld in order
to determine the shortest route
to transport luggage. Unlike
the current vehicles, they will
depart for the aircra as soon as
each one is full, speeding up the
aircra loading process.
Miles Garner, Sales and
Marketing Director at Aurrigo,
commented: “We are best known
for the work we are doing in
pioneering driverless pods that
are typically used to deliver rst
and last mile transport solutions.
It was quickly recognised
that this technology could be
applied to other sectors and
we were delighted when we
started working with IAG and
British Airways on exploring
the possibility of autonomous
luggage dollies.
“ e impressive initial
results have been reinforced
by the project being awarded
the ‘Innovator’ title at the
Heathrow CVP Awards, beating
competition from some very
impressive innovations in
the process. Airports have
the requirement to move vast
numbers of people, goods,
luggage and a variety of other
materials around a huge site and
autonomous technology can
provide the aviation industry
with a solution that has zero
emissions and massively
increased e ciencies.”
Chris Garton, Chief Operating
O cer at Heathrow airport,
added: “We’re delighted to trial
new technologies that will make
our airport more e cient, safe
and sustainable. Signi cant
progress is being made with
driverless vehicles and these
trials will help us provide the
infrastructure necessary to be at
the forefront of this technology.”
If successful, the dollies could
transport customers’ baggage to
and from the aircra by 2021.
Jet Aviation has received the International Standard
for Business Aircraft Handling (IS-BAH) Stage
1 Registration from the International Business
Aviation Council for its Amsterdam and Rotterdam
FBOs in The Netherlands. It intends to achieve
IS-BAH Stage 2 Registration for both FBOs by
December 2021.
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